Chapter 6: No Way Out

BUTTERCUP

I covered my mouth with the back of my palm and I was barely breathing.

“A human? Don’t be ridiculous,” Seraphina said below me. “But if you’re serious about this double mate bond thing with her, we handle it quietly. She can never know the full truth.”

Draven’s voice came next, low and strained. “It’s real, Seraphina. I feel the pull with both of you. Fuck... this changes everything.”

My legs almost gave out. Double mate bond? With me? He felt it too?

I backed away from the door, with my heart slamming against my ribs. I had to get out. Now! I couldn’t stay trapped in this twisted game anymore.

I grabbed my half-packed bag and headed for the window. “Screw both of you. I’m done.”

Then gunshots exploded outside followed by howls. I could tell that they were loud angry werewolf howls that shook the windows.

The mansion alarms blared and heavy footsteps pounded down the halls. Someone shouted, “Rival pack! They’re attacking the wing!”

The door to my room flew open. Draven stormed in, his eyes were alert. “Buttercup! Get away from the window!”

“What the hell is happening?” I yelled, dropping the bag.

“They are the black Fang pack. They’ve been waiting for a weak moment.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the inner hallway. “Lockdown now! No one leaves.”

I tried to yank free. “Let me go! This is my chance. I want freedom from all this. From you, from her. From your stupid double mate whatever.”

Draven stopped and spun me to face him. His eyes burned. “You think I’ll let you walk out into a war zone? They know about you. They’ll use you to get to me.”

“I don’t care!” I shouted, poking at his chest. “I heard you two talking about double mate bond? You feel it with me too and you still chose her? I want to be out of your world, Draven!”

He pushed me into a safer inner room and locked the door. “You’re not going anywhere this night and that’s final.”

The sounds of fighting grew louder outside as glass shattered somewhere below. Seraphina’s voice moved down the hall, barking orders like she already owned the place. Must have been the 'Luna' title that was in her head.

I paced the room, breathing fast. “This is exactly why I need to leave. Look at us, we're trapped and they are fighting. You protecting me one minute and running to her the next, is not what I want.”

Draven stepped close, his voice was rough. “You think I like this? You think I like keeping you here while everything falls apart? I’m trying to keep you alive.”

“Alive but miserable,” I shot back. “Every time you touch me I fall apart more. Tell me the truth about this double mate thing right now.”

He hesitated. “I can't say...not now with bullets flying outside.”

A loud explosion hit the mansion which made the lights flicker. I stumbled and Draven caught me, pulling me tight against his chest. His heart pounded hard under my cheek.

“They’re getting closer,” he muttered. “Stay behind me.”

I gripped his shirt. “I hate this! I hate feeling stuck! I just want to be free, Draven.”

“You’re not free out there,” he said, raising my chin up. “Not anymore. You know too much and I...I can’t afford to lose you.”

His mouth reached forward to mine and I also kissed him in return.

“Tell me you don’t want this,” he growled against my lips, his hands were already sliding under my dress.

“I want to hate you,” I gasped, pulling him closer. “But I can’t. Not when you touch me like this.”

Draven lifted me onto the table, pushing my legs apart. “Then hate me later. Right now I need to feel you.”

He didn’t wait. He freed himself and thrust into me hard. I cried out and the fighting sounds outside made everything more intense. Every thrust felt like it could be our last.

“Fuck, Buttercup,” he groaned, his hips moving fast. “You’re mine. Say it.”

“I’m not yours,” I moaned, even as I wrapped my legs around him tighter. “You keep choosing her. Ahh....”

He slammed deeper, making me tremble. “Doesn’t feel like that right now, does it?”

Our bodies moved together rough and fast and our sweat mixed even our breaths mixed. The fear from the attack made every touch sharper, every moan louder. I held onto him like he was the only safe thing left even though he was the one breaking me.

“Draven...I’m close,” I panted, my head falling back.

He gripped my hips harder, pounding into me. “Come on me. Let me feel it.”

I cummed hard, crying out his name as pleasure ripped through me. He followed right after, burying himself deep and growling against my neck.

Then I felt it. His teeth grazed the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. His wolf was right there, ready to mark me and claim me for real.

“Do it,” I whispered, trembling. “If you really feel the double bond, then mark me.”

Draven froze. His breathing was ragged. I felt his fangs press against my skin, and my heart raced with hope and terror at the same time.

For one second, I thought he would do it.

Then he pulled back sharply, stepping away from me like I burned him. He wore back his clothes with shaking hands and his eyes were full of regret.

“I can’t,” he said with his voice broken. “It can't happen like this.”

I slid off the table, and my legs were weak, staring at him in disbelief. The sounds of fighting still raged outside, but all I could feel was the fresh cut of him pulling away again.

Draven turned toward the door as more howls echoed through the mansion. “Stay here. I have to help defend the pack.”

He opened the door, then looked back at me one last time, his eyes were haunted.

Before he could step out, a loud crash came from the hallway and a rival wolf burst through, snarling. His eyes were locked right on me.